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Valentina clears her throat. I’m sure she’s been wondering the same thing.

Alycia and Raul exchange a look, then Alycia glances at Mom who nods. It’s the only confirmation I need.

“What’s going on here?” I demand, dreading the answer.

I love my sister and she deserves the best, especially after the bullshit Declan put her through. But for fuck’s sake, I hope she didn’t get mixed up with Raul. He’s my girlfriend’s brother and we’re already dealing with a lot. I don’t want to add another complication on top of everything.

I watch as she stands up and walks to the kitchen window. She looks outside, her back to us. Then she turns around, taking a deep breath.

“I’m pregnant,” she says, her voice barely audible.

I blink, not sure if I heard her right. “What?”

“She’s pregnant,” Raul repeats, his tone gentle. “With my child.”

My jaw drops. I look at Valentina, who looks as shocked as I am. Mom doesn’t seem surprised, though.

“Wow,” Valentina says, recovering first. “That’s… big news.”

“Are you sure?” I ask, still processing.

“Yes,” Alycia says, coming back to the table, then grabbing the loose fabric of her dress to show her baby bump. “I’m almost five months along.”

“Oh my god,” I say, staring at her belly. “You’re showing.”

She smiles, but she’s nervous. “Yeah. It’s getting harder to hide it.”

There’s a gray picture on the fridge, under a magnet shaped like a lemon. I’ve been sitting three feet from it all evening.

I look at Raul, who’s looking at Alycia. He stands up and puts a protective arm around her shoulders. They’re close, comfortable.

“H-how did this happen?”

“Lexa!” Valentina scolds. She gets up and throws her arms around Raul and then around Alycia. “I’m so happy for you guys! That’s incredible!”

My sister smiles at her, so much gratitude in her eyes. After the last few months, she knows exactly what a disapproving look feels like, and Valentina’s reaction has probably saved this dinner.

Raul looks at me, a hint of guilt in his eyes. “It was an accident, Lexa. We didn’t plan it. But we’re dealing with it. Together.”

I stare at him, then at Alycia, then at Mom. She’s still calm, composed.

I get up. “I need some air.”

I walk out of the apartment, not knowing where I’m going. I just need to get away, to think.

Valentina follows me, catching up to me on the stairs.

“Lexa, wait,” she says. “Talk to me.”

I stop, turning to her. “What am I supposed to say? My sister is pregnant with your brother’s baby. This is insane.”

“I know,” she says, taking my hand. “But it’s not our place to judge. They’re adults. They can make their own decisions.”

“But it’s a mess,” I protest. “Why does she have to ruin everything? I finally found one thing that had nothing to do with my family and now she’s fucking it up.”

“That’s not fair,” Valentina says. “Alycia didn’t do this to spite you. Besides, do the math. We weren’t even together when the baby was conceived.”

I do the math, and it clicks in about two seconds.